Archaeological Scoping Study of the Proposed Boulders Wind Farm, Vredenburg Peninsula, Western Cape
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCOPING STUDY OF THE PROPOSED BOULDERS WIND FARM, VREDENBURG PENINSULA, WESTERN CAPE DEA CASE: not allocated yet HWC CASE: not allocated yet (Assessment conducted under Section 38 (8) of the National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999) as part of an EIA process) Prepared for Vredenburg Windfarm (Pty) Ltd. November 2017 Prepared by Dave Halkett/Lita Webley ACO Associates cc Physical: Unit D17, Prime Park, 21 Mocke Rd, Diep River Postal: 8 Jacobs Ladder St James, 7945 [email protected] Tel: 021 7064104 Cell: 0731418606 Fax to e-mail: 086 603 7195 Regulation GNR 326 of 4 December 2014, as amended 7 April 2017, Appendix 6 Section of Report (a) details of the specialist who prepared the report; and the expertise of that specialist to compile a Preface pages specialist report including a curriculum vitae; (b) a declaration that the specialist is independent in a form as may be specified by the competent Preface pages authority; (c) an indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the report was prepared; 1 Scope and purpose (cA) an indication of the quality and age of base data used for the specialist report; 5.2.2 Previous projects (cB) a description of existing impacts on the site, cumulative impacts of the proposed development and 4 Baseline description levels of acceptable change; (d) the duration, date and season of the site investigation and the relevance of the season to the outcome 2 Date and season of the assessment; (e) a description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the specialised 3 Methodology process inclusive of equipment and modelling used; (f) details of an assessment of the specific identified sensitivity of the site related to the proposed activity 5 Identified sensitivity or activities and its associated structures and infrastructure, inclusive of a site plan identifying site alternatives; (g) an identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers; 5.1 Identification of areas to be avoided. (h) a map superimposing the activity including the associated structures and infrastructure on the 5.1 Identification of areas environmental sensitivities of the site including areas to be avoided, including buffers; to be avoided. (i) a description of any assumptions made and any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge; 5.2 Assumptions and gaps in knowledge. (j) a description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on the impact of the proposed 5 Identified sensitivity. activity, including identified alternatives on the environment, or activities; (k) any mitigation measures for inclusion in the EMPr; 10.3 Possible mitigation measures. (l) any conditions for inclusion in the environmental authorisation; n/a (m) any monitoring requirements for inclusion in the EMPr or environmental authorisation; 10.4 Key issues and recommendation (n) a reasoned opinion— 10.4.1 Conclusions i. as to whether the proposed activity, activites or portions thereof should be authorised; iA. Regarding the acceptability of the proposed activity or activities; and ii. if the opinion is that the proposed activity, activities or portions thereof should be authorised, any avoidance, management and mitigation measures that should be included in the EMPr or Environmental Authorization, and where applicable, the closure plan; (o) a summary and copies of any comments received during any consultation process and where n/a applicable all responses thereto; and (p) any other information requested by the competent authority n/a Where a government notice gazetted by the Minister provides for any protocol or minimum information n/a requirement to be applied to a specialist report, the requirements as indicated in such notice will apply. 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction ACO Associates CC have been appointed by Integrated Wind Power (Pty) Ltd on behalf of Vredenburg Wind Farm (Pty) Ltd to undertake an Archaeological Scoping assessment, as part of the EIA process, for the establishment of a wind energy facility on land at the northern end of the Vredenburg Peninsula between the towns of Paternoster and St Helena to be known as the Boulders Wind Farm. The scoping study considers the development of a wind farm with a contracted capacity of up to 140MW. Methodology This study has been commissioned as a Heritage scoping assessment that attempts to predict the possible range of impacts on physical heritage resources and identify any issues in terms of accumulated knowledge of the area. This report considers the archaeology of the area and is compiled as part of a broader HIAS process being undertaken by Ms. Katie Smuts. The sources of information consist primarily of published archaeological research reports and unpublished archaeological and palaeontological heritage impact assessments for the general area, as well as a good working knowledge of the site and surroundings. As there is a wealth of studies of both archaeology and palaeontology available (see the extensive bibliography), identification of heritage indicators is well informed. Where relevant, specific reference to certain documents has been made in the text. No archaeological material was removed from the project area, but rather was recorded and photographed in situ. Landowners were also consulted with regard to knowledge of heritage resources on their properties. A site inspection was carried out for the purposes of a previous HIA study within the project site. The findings remain generally useful and relevant. Summary We have not identified any archaeological “red flag” issues, although buffers around Kasteelberg have been identified and recommended due to its importance as an archaeological site and is there to protect not only the archaeological sites, but also viewsheds towards and from the coast. Kasteelberg is a grade 2 quality site and one of the most significant of its kind in South Africa. Declaration of the site has been proposed but not yet completed by the Heritage Authority. A field/desktop assessment of the turbine locations, underground cabling, access roads, laydown areas and substations may be required during the EIA stage for certain parts of the site. The preliminary constraints maps (Figure 4, 5 and 6) draws on the initial surveys and earlier archaeological research work on the Vredenburg Peninsula. While we have identified a few archaeological sites artefact/marine, shell scatters within the project area, these can generally be avoided (or are of low significance). Where there are complexes of archaeological sites, they have been identified as areas generally not suitable for development/no-go areas within the project site. We have identified no-go areas where there are known archaeological heritage located around granite koppies (indicated as red zones), within which no infrastructure may be located. Purple zones show areas which have not been ploughed or are riverine which can be more archaeologically valuable. These can be used but will have to be field verified. Houses and farm werfs are generally protected by standard buffer zones to protect residents from disturbance and retain the context of heritage structures. Isolated buildings that may be impacted must be assessed, if not already undertaken. The turbine and infrastructure layout must take cognisance of all buffers and no-go areas, some of which may need to avoided by project infrastructure. Key issues/recommendations to be addressed in the IA phase 3 As we already know that archaeological and historical resources exist on the site and some have already been assessed, we propose the following recommendations for the EIA: The buffer areas that have emerged from previous environmental and heritage authorisations may be applicable to the Boulders Wind Farm. While predominantly related to visual issues, some for example the buffer around Kasteelberg have a bearing indirectly on the archaeology. Although we have argued why some relaxation may be appropriate, these buffers may have to be negotiated with the respective authorities; Placing of Turbines on Rem/6 Uitkomst 23 and on Ptn 3 of Boebezaks Kraal 40 may not be acceptable to the heritage authority, or specific IAAP’s; Should any infrastructure (including turbines) be located within the recommended red high sensitivity buffer areas the layout needs to be amended to avoid these. Purple zones show areas which have not been ploughed or are riverine which can be more archaeologically valuable. These can be used but will have to be field verified. Farm houses for both social and heritage reasons should be avoided. Take cognisance of the comments of the I&APs with respect to the heritage of the site and area of the proposed development arising out of the PPP; Propose measures to adequately address or mitigate any identified impacts; Any graves and cemeteries located outside of the pre-determined buffer or no-go areas that have not yet been identified, must be clearly demarcated and avoided, especially if situated immediately adjacent to the existing farm roads or proposed roads. The appropriate mechanisms for dealing with chance finds of human remains must be included in the HIA and reflected in the EIA report; Should the layout occur in areas not previously subjected to site inspection, these areas must be assessed during the EIA phase of the project to determine the type, quantity, location and significance of the heritage resources that may be impacted by the WEF infrastructure; No Stone Age artefact scatters are likely to be “red flag” issues but may require mitigation